Archbishop: ‘It should shake our faith in God’

‘The question “How can you believe in a God who permits suffering on this scale?” is therefore very much around at the moment, and it would be surprising if it weren’t – indeed it would be wrong if it weren’t,’ he writes.

The prelate says it is the duty of all Christians to devote themselves to helping the survivors.

Despite his doubts, Dr Williams concludes that faith has the ability to survive such disasters. Those with faith can find a strength in God even in the light of such terrible events. ‘The extraordinary fact is that belief has survived such tests again and again,’ he adds.